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Describing a Photograph

The document provides guidelines for describing a photograph, emphasizing the importance of observation, categorization, and organization in crafting a clear description. It includes examples from two students, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in language use and content. Additionally, it offers descriptive words and phrases to enhance the depiction of scenes, settings, and atmospheres.

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Sarah Rabie
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3 views

Describing a Photograph

The document provides guidelines for describing a photograph, emphasizing the importance of observation, categorization, and organization in crafting a clear description. It includes examples from two students, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in language use and content. Additionally, it offers descriptive words and phrases to enhance the depiction of scenes, settings, and atmospheres.

Uploaded by

Sarah Rabie
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Describing a

Photograph
Sample and Guidelines
Student A:
Last week we started a journey to worrds
zeellamsee City. It was very nice place and it has
chearleft used for cairring the persons from one
place to another this area surrounded by very high
mountains it was a good place for the toriest and I
Enjoyed it very much.

Student B:
The picture shows mountains surrounding a city
near the sea. There are many ropes linking the
mountains and the transport that people use to
travel between two mountains is hanging on the
rope. The tourists would see a beautiful view
outside the window, watching the azure sky and
breath-taking scenes.
Student A:
Last week we started a journey to worrds
zeellamsee City. It was very nice place and it has
chearleft used for cairring the persons from one
place to another this area surrounded by very high
mountains it was a good place for the toriest and I
Enjoyed it very much.

EXAMINER COMMENTARY
This response starts by imagining the writer having been to the
place shown in the picture. While this is not a problem, it isn’t
necessary and takes up several words without really beginning
to address the task. The second sentence begins to offer some
descriptions which are straightforward in nature, e.g., ‘very
nice place’ and ‘very high mountains’. The student uses details
from the picture such as the transport (‘chearlift’) and although
an examiner can grasp what is being written, there is some
delay in communication. There are some misspellings here and
the second sentence needed more accurate punctuation for it to
make clear sense. Overall, this response is awarded 4 for
content/communication and 2 for language use. Total mark = 6
Student B:
The picture shows mountains surrounding a city
near the sea. There are many ropes linking the
mountains and the transport that people use to
travel between two mountains is hanging on the
rope. The tourists
Examiner’s would on
Commentary seeStudent
a beautiful
B: view
outside the window, watching the azure sky and
breath-taking
This is a clear scenes.
response - the student has carefully
described the items in the picture and given sense
of their positions by using phrases such ‘near the
sea’. Ideas are linked together and although the
student doesn’t use the term ‘cable car’, this isn’t a
problem because they explain the transport in a
very clear way. There is an effective attempt to
describe the appearance of the view using
relatively complex words such as ‘beautiful’ and the
more ambitious ‘azure’. Everything in this response
makes clear sense.
1) Observation
• Thoroughly examine the
photograph, taking note of
the key elements.
• Identify the main subjects,
setting, and overall
composition of the image.
2) Categorization
• Determine the type of scene
depicted (e.g., city street, landscape,
interior).
• Identify the dominant colors,
textures, and architectural features.
• Observe the mood, atmosphere, and
level of activity in the photograph.
3) Description
• Start with a broad overview of the
scene, setting the context.
• Describe the specific details you
observe, such as buildings, people,
and activities.
• Use vivid, descriptive language to
convey the visual elements and
ambiance of the photograph.
4) Organization
• Structure your description in a
logical flow, moving from the
general to the specific.
• Ensure your description fits the
required word count range.
• Avoid mentioning or identifying
any individuals in the photograph.
Descriptive words
• Vibrant, lively, bustling
• Historic, charming, quaint
• Colorful, bright, warm tones
• Picturesque, scenic, idyllic
• Crowded, populated, busy
Describing the Setting
• Street scene, city center
• Old town, downtown area
• Cobblestone
walkway/pavement
• Rows of buildings, architecture
• Market stalls, vendor carts
Describing the People
• People walking, strolling,
browsing
• Passersby, pedestrians,
crowds
• Locals, residents, visitors
• Casual, relaxed, hurried
Conveying the Atmosphere
• Lively, energetic, vibrant
• Peaceful, calm, serene
• Bustling, active, animated
• Sunny, pleasant, inviting
Conveying the Atmosphere
• Lively, energetic, vibrant
• Peaceful, calm, serene
• Bustling, active, animated
• Sunny, pleasant, inviting
Conveying the Atmosphere
• Lively, energetic, vibrant
• Peaceful, calm, serene
• Bustling, active, animated
• Sunny, pleasant, inviting

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